In Canada, there are two types of censuses: the Census of Population and the Census of Agriculture. Both are conducted every five years by Statistics Canada , a department of the federal government. The larger of the two censuses, the Census of Population, gathers demographic information.
Which federal agency is responsible for the Canadian census?
Home page — Statistics Canada . Statistics Canada is the national statistical office. The agency ensures Canadians have the key information on Canada’s economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers.
Which government department is responsible for the census?
On 20 August 1957, the NSW Bureau of Statistics was merged into the Commonwealth Bureau .
How is census conducted in Canada?
A sample of 25% of Canadian households receive a long-form questionnaire . The long-form questionnaire collects the same demographic information as the short-form questionnaire, as well as information about the social and economic situation of the people across Canada and the dwellings they live in.
Is Statistics Canada run by the government?
In Canada, providing statistics is a federal responsibility . As Canada’s central statistical office, Statistics Canada is legislated to serve this function for the whole of Canada and each of the provinces and territories. Objective statistical information is vital to an open and democratic society.
Can you refuse a Stats Canada survey?
There’s only one household survey federal law says individuals must participate in when Statistics Canada comes calling. ... Canada’s Statistics Act calls for a fine of up to $500 and/or up to three months in jail for refusing to participate in a mandatory survey.
How often does the government take a census?
Beginning in 1906, the Prairie provinces of Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan began to take separate censuses of population and agriculture every five years to monitor growth in the West. After becoming part of Canada in 1949, Newfoundland (including Labrador) has been included in the Canadian census since 1951.
Can I refuse to participate in the census?
By census law, refusal to answer all or part of the census carries a $100 fine . The penalty goes up to $500 for giving false answers. ... The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 effectively raised the penalty to as much as $5,000 for refusing to answer a census question.
What happens if I don’t do the census?
The Census is mandatory and failure to complete it can lead to fines of up to $222 for each day it is delayed . However, those fines won’t kick in immediately. Instead, households have been reminded to keep an eye out for letters from the Census office, and potential door knocks in regional areas.
Can I refuse to fill out the census?
If you do not fill in the census, a census officer will contact you and encourage you to complete it . They will help you access any support you need to fill in your form. If you still don’t return a completed census, you will be committing a crime and you will be contacted by our Non-Compliance team.
What years did Canada do a census?
According to the Census and Statistics Act of 1905, a general census of Canada was to occur in 1911, and every 10 years thereafter , and a census of population and agriculture was to be taken in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in 1906, and every 10 years thereafter.
Why do census come to your house?
The information gathered provides a snapshot of the population, including its size and the age of people . This is used by charities and services like hospitals, schools, universities and job centres to plan and fund services including transport, education and healthcare.
What is the point of a census?
The census asks questions about you, your household and your home . In doing so, it helps to build a detailed snapshot of our society. Information from the census helps the government and local authorities to plan and fund local services, such as education, doctors’ surgeries and roads.
Who is the minister responsible for Statistics Canada?
It is headquartered in Ottawa. The agency is led by the chief statistician of Canada, currently Anil Arora , who assumed the role on September 19, 2016. StatCan is responsible to Parliament through the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, currently François-Philippe Champagne.
Why is Statistics Canada Reliable?
In collecting information from thousands of Canadian individuals and organizations, Statistics Canada has always put the highest priority on protecting the confidentiality of individual respondents’ answers . With few exceptions, it is mandatory to respond to surveys collected under the Statistics Act.
Is Statistics Canada a reliable source?
Statistics Canada, as Canada’s trusted source of information for more than 100 years , prides itself in keeping pace with the evolving information needs of Canadians.
